Gordon looking to cement spot
Many were surprised with Anthony Gordon getting the nod over Marcus Rashford this evening.
The Newcastle winger has not really been tearing it up in the opening seven games of the domestic season.
Rashford opted for pastures new in the transfer window but seems to have settled into life at Barcelona well.
Having been given a starting spot, it is now for Gordon to repay the faith the manager has shown in him this evening.
View from SunSport’s Dave Kidd in Riga
England will surely wrap up World Cup qualification with two games to spare with victory here at the Daugava Stadium tonight.
This place is hardly one of international football’s intimidating cauldrons. There are trees lining one side of a pitch surrounded by an athletics track and the locals aren’t exactly jumping after a 2-2 draw with mighty Andorra at the weekend.
Can England go through an entire qualification without conceding a single goal? It would be a shock if they didn’t record a sixth straight competitive clean sheet against the nation ranked 137th in the world.
Pickford setting new records
Jordan Pickford has not conceded a single goal in qualifying between the sticks for England.
Many have started asking the question whether he ranks as one of the best keepers to don the Three Lions’ shirt.
In darts Phil Taylor once said ‘trebles for show, doubles for dough’ and it bares similar relevance to football.
Winning trophies is the main goal, after all, nobody can reel off a list of runners-up from major tournaments.
With that in mind, Pickford needs to focus on the summer and with his teammates’ help, try and bring the trophy home.
That should be the mark of who is a great goalkeeper, providing a solid foundation for his country to do the unthinkable and win the 2026 World Cup.
Then, and maybe only then, can the Everton stopper regard himself as number one.
Chance to get the job done
Victory in Riga this evening will seal England’s qualification for the World Cup in America.
Ironically, the last time the Three Lions failed to make an appearance at the global tournament was USA ’94.
Thomas Tuchel and his squad are on the verge of ensuring that lightning doesn’t strike twice this time around.
England subs
If things aren’t going to plan, Thomas Tuchel has plenty of stars to call upon from the bench.
Guehi, Jordan Henderson, Eze, Rashford, Burn, Dean Henderson, Gibbs-White, Loftus-Cheek, Bowen, Trafford, O’Reilly
Ready for the test
The English lads have arrived ahead of their mega clash with Latvia tonight!
